Enlightenment?

27 Replies

When a problem you are facing seems to be impossible to overcome, put a lampshade on it and call it enlightenment. When your issues seem too broad, too big, to work through, put a tablecloth on them and call me for dinner. When the wall you have run into is simply too tall and too wide to breach put a nail in it, hang a painting and call it support. Problems can be surmounted, defeated or accepted. It’s your call…

When I was first diagnosed with MS, I was a wreck. I was sad, I was disheartened and I was frightened. I remember sitting in my bedroom looking out the window feeling incredibly sorry for myself, then my mother walked in. She had a look on her face that I could not read. She shook her head slowly and said: ‘you have been dealt a terrible blow; you have every right to feel sorry for yourself.’ I looked up at her. I remember her looking down at her watch taking her index finger and tapping the crystal, then she said… and I quote… “You’ve got 15 minutes, go!”  She really did say that! I remember it because I have repeated the story 100 times. When I got over the shock of what she had said I started to laugh and then I realized she spoke words of incredible wisdom. Do you want to feel sorry for yourself? Sure, go ahead, do not you deny yourself the feelings of misery. Just don’t stay there too long. Now when I get depressed (little D not big D) I wallow for 15 minutes. Then I put on a weepy movie, cry my eyes out, blow my nose and move on.

I believe that every single person out there has issues. Some can’t be seen; some even can’t be felt. Mine is pretty obvious. The wheelchair is a dead giveaway. But having said that, I may be in a wheelchair but I’m not a cripple. I have a life and I live it to the full extent. Do I have issues? Hell yes! But I find a way over, around or through. If I want something, I will find a way to get it. After all I am a redhead.  (OK technically I’m not actually red anymore, I’m more ash blonde. But I have the soul of the red hair!)

I really believe that life is what we make it. As that saying goes: if you’re given lemons in life make lemonade. Think about it… Some are given plenty and create nothing, some have nothing and create everything. We have it within us to be the best. But we are the only ones who can do it.

27 thoughts on “Enlightenment?”

  1. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections

    What a great message because it is something that all of us need to hear. Yes, life is full of problems – we can’t avoid them – and that’s not going to change. So much is how we handle them. We have never met, but your positive outlook and sense of humor is a delight. Thanks for being yourself …. well, I assume it’s you. 😉 … I couldn’t resist. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. quiall Post author

      Ha ha ha! Thanks Frank. I assure you that it is me. However this me could be someone different tomorrow… Women are changeable creatures.

      Like

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  2. Sorryless

    Life is indeed a self fulfilling prophecy, Pam. And your post resonates with the strength of the human spirit. We are all on the clock, and it’s our storyline that is getting written and re-written inside the hours. Fifteen minutes at a time.

    Go!

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. Widdershins

    Love the Mum ‘tude! 😀 … when Mrs Widds and I have those kinds of times we do what I like to call a standing tanty (tantrum) … we clench our fists whilst shaking them and do a sort of stomping dance-y thing at the same time. Sometimes growling and pulling funny faces as well.
    The movement shakes up whatever energy we’re in, and we feel so ridiculous we usually end up laughing. On days when my knees aren’t willing to participate, I do it sitting down – just as effective, and sometimes even more funny. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. quiall Post author

      That sounds like an absolutely brilliant response! What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall… We could break YouTube with one of those! Ha ha ha ha!

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. Dan Antion

    I knew this post was out here, somewhere. I got the notice, but then gone. I wasn’t sure if it was coming back, or remained a work-in-progress. I’m glad I checked.

    This is wonderful, Pam. I can see your mother standing there, tapping her watch and giving you a strict limit. A very wise woman, and she raised a very wise and capable woman.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. quiall Post author

      I inadvertently published this a day early but I noticed within two minutes. You’re the second person that said that they caught it. I deleted it and let it run on Sunday as it should have. I’m glad you liked it. My mom was an incredible woman and she had no idea. Everybody loved her.

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. rangewriter

    I agree with you 100%. However, I am untested. It takes great courage to put that moxie to work when life really dumps you out and leaves you vulnerable to a host of problems you never conceived of having to deal with. I hope that when my turn comes (which I’m sure is somewhat inevitable the longer I live) that I will be able to channel your courage.

    Liked by 2 people

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